Watch holder



Sept. 3, 1935. R. J. MoFFATT WATCH HOLDER Filed July 3, 1935 f2/amn @yf/fw@ @@yf? Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a watch holder of the type which may be folded up into a compact case structure for carrying, or may be opened up and the parts so positioned with respect to each other that the case structure forms a suitable stand which may be rested upon a desk or table. More particularly, however, my present invention relates to the means for holding a pocket watch adjacent a face plate so that the watch dial is properly positioned for exposure through an opening in the face plate.

It is a particular feature of the present invention to provide a watch holder which is so constructed as to permit the watch to swing outwardly of the case structure for the purpose of winding or setting without requiring removal of the watch from the holder.

Other features of the invention will appear in the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the watch holder set up for use;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the case structure fully open to permit the watch to swing outwardly to a position for winding or setting;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 2 showing the watch in position against the face plate;

Fig. 4 is a. view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing the rear side of the face plate with a watch in position in the holder; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the holder plate on a. slightly enlarged scale.

As a suggestive embodiment of this invention, I have shown a case structure composed of two dished covers C-C hinged together at IIJ and normally held open by a spring II. The edge of one cover opposite the hinged connection is provided with any suitable: fastener I2 for holding the case structure closed against the action of the spring.

Hingedly connected to one of the covers C adjacent a free edge thereof is a face plate F having a central opening I5 and two opposed marginal flanges I6 which extend substantially the length of the face plate. Mounted near the front edge of one of the covers is a U-shaped bracket I'I to which the face plate is hinged, as by means of rivets I8, so that the face plate may be folded down within the case structure or be moved to the angular position shown in Figs. l and 3 where the case structure is rendered self-supporting with face plate and case covers arranged in triangular relationship.

The Watch holder H may desirably be formed of sheet material, cut to provide a body 20 from which a number of spring fingers 2| extend radially. Preferably the fingers are bent to C-shape to embrace a watch W therebetween. 'I'he fingers are suficiently resilient to permit the watch to be readily inserted or removed, and at the same time are sufliciently firm to securely hold the watch which is placed therein. The body is also provided with a tongue 22 which is bent substantially at a right angle for securement to a hinge bar 23. The ends of the hinge bar are bent at right angles to provide ears 24 which lie inside of and adjacent the marginal anges I6 of the face plate. The holder is hingedly secured tothe face plate adjacent a free edge thereof by a hinge pin 25 which is inserted through openings 26 in the hinge bar and the marginal iianges respectively. Coiled about the hinge pin is a spring 28 having one end engaging an edge of the face plate and the other end engaging the hinge bar so that the spring tends to force the holder toward the face plate and hold the watch firmly within the opening I5 therein.

In use the case covers will tend to open into alignment in response to tension exerted by the spring II; the face plate assembly, however, is sufiiciently heavy to overcome this tendency when the parts are triangularly related, as in Fig. 1. By reason of the spring 28 the holder is maintained in position against the face plate, even in such a rearwardly slanting position. When it is desired to insert or remove a watch relative to the holder, or wind, or set the watch when supported therein, it will be found convenient to allow the case covers to swing to fully extended position, then swing the face plate clear up, and finally swing out the holder as far as need be to afford ready access to the parts requiring manipulation.

I claim:

l. In combination, two hinged case covers defining a space therebetween, an apertured face plate hinged to one cover adjacent a free edge thereof, and a holder plate hinged to the face plate adjacent a free edge thereof adapted to releasably support a watch in position for exposure of its dial through the face plate aperture.

2. In combination, two hinged case covers defining a space therebetween, a spring acting normally to swing the covers to open position, an apertured face plate hinged to one cover adjacent a free edge thereof and adapted to extend toward and engage with the corresponding edge of the other cover and by its own weight overcome the tension of the spring whereby to remain in such position with the two covers in acute angled relationship, and means carried by the l face plate upon the rear side thereof for releasably supporting a watch in position for exposure of its dial through the face plate aperture.

3. In combination, two hinged case covers defining a space therebetween, an apertured face plate having two of its opposite edges flanged, a hinge connection between the face plate flanges and one case cover adjacent a free edge thereof, a hinge bar pivotally connected to the face plate anges at a point remote from the hinge connection aforesaid, a holder carried by the bar adapted to support a watch releasably in position for thereto.

ROBERT J. MOFFATT. 

